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Prez Sez – August 2026
Greetings members of this great bicycling club we call the Fresno Cycling Club still going strong in our 64th year. Here we are a little past halfway through 2026, and we have had an outstanding year of bicycling thus far. There is still a lot more to come. Just keep riding.
If you plan on doing the Climb the Coast ride on Aug 1 & 2, there are still spots open and Chris Eacock (Tower Velo) has a couple bedrooms in Cambria at his house available for riders who haven't got a place to stay.
Still looking for a Rough Draft Editor to replace our former Rough Draft editor David Wright (RIP). We are in need of someone to fill the vacant position as soon as possible. Computer experience is a necessity. This is a Board position which entitles you to free membership as long as you serve, plus one free event of your choice each year. Plus, a free dinner once a month at the Board meeting. Lots of riding happening in August, both in and out of town. August 1 & 2, Climb the Coast ride with Southern Sierra Club. The Birthday ride happening August 8th. See below. August 15th is the very popular Cool Breeze Century in Ventura Ca.
Thank you for your continued support, your enthusiasm, and your dedication to safe cycling. I look forward to seeing many of you out on the road, on the gravel or on the dirt. Ride with purpose, ride with pride, and enjoy every mile. Ride SAFE and Ride Legal!
That’s all for now,
The Prez
Dennis Ball
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David's Memorial Ride group. |
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ANNUAL TOUR DE LAKES This year's Tour de Lakes was well attended with nearly 100 riders participating. We couldn't have asked for better weather which made for great riding conditions. I am happy to report there was only one crash which fortunately the rider wasn't injured to bad. Those hairpin turns going down to Wishon from the Courtwright turnoff are ones you want to take very cautious and slowly especially if you're not experienced with them. This was the same location that we had an accident a few years ago and lost a good friend. Fortunately there wasn't a vehicle coming this time. Thanks to Sarah Mata, Janet Lucido, Nancy Dooley and their volunteer crew for orgsnizing and staffing the rest stops. Also thanks to Max Amara, Scott Hayes and Ken Herrington for providing SAG support. A footnote LOL, don't forget your riding shoes. Riding in Crocs is not very comfortable. I was only able to do half the ride I had intended. I normally do a mental check list in preparing for a ride, from head to toe, but in the haste of getting ready to go I sat my shoes down on a chair in the garage and never put them in my car. I guess it's not to bad of a record being only the 3rd time that I can recall forgetting my riding shoes. |
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Augusts Birthday Rides
This month's birthday ride celebrates our members born during the month of August. Knowing that it will be hot in the valley we are offering 3 options, 1 in the valley option 1, a B ride to Sanger led by Ken Herrington. Then options 2 & 3 will be gravel rides starting at Quail Flat in Kingscanyon/Sequoia Parks. Check out the details at the link below and decide which one you will do and register.
https://fresnocycling.com/event-6781626 |
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Would you rather ride in 108 temps or in the 70s? Ride alongside dusty agriculture fields or have views of the ocean? There is still time to sign up for Climb the Coast. Join your fellow SSC members along with FCC members at the coast for two days of cycling fun in much cooler, more manageable temperatures with the added benefit of cool, marine breezes. Click now to register for Climb the Coast!
Our first day’s ride of Climb the Coast is a wonderful ride, full of all we ride bikes for: a gentle climb through beautiful woods, an opportunity to view grand vistas, some easy rolling sections, some moderate climbing, and a little tough climbing. Which is followed by some thrilling descending, even with a bit of rideable dirt that many of us rode long before gravel riding was even a thing. It’s a great ride along the creek through dense riparian oaks, then up to a mountain where you can see forever, then down the back side through more oak canopy to the village of Avila Beach, a charming village for our aid station and a perfect spot for getting off the bike for a bit. From there it’s an easy ride back to SLO along flat country roads or a continuation southward to add a few more miles.
For those of you that haven’t done Perfumo Canyon, it is a little bit of a workout. Most of the 1500 ft of climbing you do in 2 miles before the summit. You’ll briefly touch 12% on the ride up but there are opportunities to stop and photograph one of the best vista views in California. On a clear day from the summit you can see much of SLO spread out below you and Morro Bay and Morro Rock on the coast to the west.
Day 2 is the familiar spectacular Cambria to Ragged Point ride with stunning cliffs and dramatic ocean vistas, a beach full of elephant seals, the light house, and an aid station at Ragged Point before your return back down Highway 1. The ride has gently rolling hills along the coast and potentially some wind which can be a help or a hinderance. If you are lucky you may even see the zebras as you pass by Hearst Castle on the way up or down the coast.
The Saturday ride (August 1) starts at 10AM from Meadow Park (2251 Meadow St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401). Saturday's ride starts at Meadow Park, heads out Los Osos Valley Rd to Prefumo Canyon Rd, up and over a short dirt section to a descent down See Canyon Rd, then along bike trails to Avila (rest stop). From the rest stop, we continue to Grover Beach before heading back to SLO (35 miles total) or you can turn back from Avila directly to SLO (27 miles total). Both options are challenging and fun due to the steep-but-short Prefumo Canyon Climb.
36-miler: https://www.strava.com/routes/3506539716056909550
27-miler: https://www.strava.com/routes/3506543321269900074
The Sunday ride (August 2) starts at 10AM from Shamel Park ( 5455 Windsor Blvd, Cambria, CA 93428). Sunday's ride starts in Shamel Park heading north to Ragged Point on Highway 1. This medium-hilly route heads up past San Simeon, where you might see the zebra herd, Elephant Seal Vista Point, the Lighthouse, and the rugged scenic coast. For those wishing a shorter ride you can turn around at Elephant Seal Vista Point. Water and snacks will be available at Ragged Point.
44 miler -https://www.strava.com/routes/3365784571406612038
24 miler -https://www.strava.com/routes/3365786063815828464
Last year was the first year of Climb the Coast being a two-club event, and the cross-club camaraderie was enjoyed by all. The routes offer beautiful scenery, SAG support and rest stops. This year, on Saturday, we are planning a post-ride no-host get together at Central Coast Brewing, 6 Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, just around the corner from the start and end spot at Meadow Park.
Register early. Book your accommodations ASAP.
https://fresnocycling.com/event-6740667
You can register for just one day for $25, or both days for $40. Volunteer to SAG or run a rest stop on Saturday and ride Sunday for free! |
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BASS LAKE POWERHOUSE CENTURY & DOUBLE CENTURY
On Saturday Oct 10, 2026, the Fresno Cycling Club is excited to host the 21st Annual Bass Lake Powerhouse Double Century (BLPDC). New this year we are introducing the Bass Lake Century for century riders. The Century will follow the first hundred mile loop around Bass Lake.
Our club is renowned for organizing exceptional cycling events for endurance enthusiasts. We welcome endurance cyclists from around the globe to experience the breathtaking beauty of California's Western Sierra Nevada Mountain range and the Central Valley foothills. This demanding course features 10,615 feet of elevation gain over 203 miles. The Century ride will be 109 miles with 7,091 feet of elevation gain. Participants will enjoy comprehensive SAG support and well-stocked aid stations at regular intervals. Additionally, a delicious meal will be provided after the ride.
https://fresnocycling.com/event-6709005 |
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VACANT BOARD OF DIRECTOR POSITIONS - Rough Draft - newsletter creator
- Sponsorship coordinator
- Bass Lake Powerhouse Double Century coordinator
- Climb to Kaiser coordinator
- Event Volunteer Coordinator
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California State Parks is seeking community input in a new survey that will help shape the future of three new state parks coming to the Central Valley: Feather River Park in Yuba County, San Joaquin River Parkway in Fresno and Madera counties, and Dust Bowl Camp in Kern County.
You can take the State Parks Forward visioning survey online. It will remain open until Sept. 4, 2026. Share your thoughts and ideas about:
- What would make these park properties most valuable to you.
- Preferred recreational activities or programs at the future state park.
- Your vision for the future of these parks.
The survey should take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete and can be focused on a specific park or all three. There will also be opportunities to provide feedback in person at community events announced later this summer. Whether online or in person, your feedback will help inform future engagement and planning. Following this engagement process, State Parks will submit a visioning report to Governor Newsom outlining key recommendations and next steps.
Learn more about the three new state parks, take the survey and sign up to receive the latest updates from the State Parks Forward website.
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Mark Perkins – Author of the Fresno Uphill Climb to Kaiser
This is a 3-month early heads-up.
I am planning to be at this Year's Climb to Kaiser on Friday, June 19th for the sign-in, from sometime around 3 PM until they close the doors around 8 PM, and on the afternoon of Saturday, June 20th, the day of this personal endurance challenge, with at least 10 to 15 copies of my book. Hopefully with Suzanne Schwarzwaelder Lock, the woman who created this great event, to help me autograph and sell them.
We sold 11 copies at last year's event, and one to the Tollhouse Store owner on the Sunday after. And we autographed all of them. So, that should be enough. If anyone thinks that isn't enough please let me know. I will also bring an order book just in case we run out. If I should have to mail one out to anyone, I send them via USPS Media Mail, which is only $7.43 the last time I checked. Remember, this is a 700-page book and it weighs over 4 pounds.
The price through us is more than $25.00 less than if you buy one online. I have set it at only $55.95 plus my local sales tax which brings it up to exactly $60.00. That's just 3 $20 bills. An easy number to remember. One friend bought one online right after it was published, and it cost him $86.33, which is why I set the price if you purchase a copy through myself or Suzanne at $55.95 plus tax.
Incidentally, I currently have 3 copies here at my home, and Suzanne already autographed them. I will also autograph them personally to the buyer when the time comes.
I hope to see you there. Mark PS Mark Perkins was the creator of the Tandem Penny Farthing Bicycles logo used for the Rough Draft which he also thought of the name. |
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LOOKING FOR FCC RIDES??
The following is a list of FCC ride groups and locations to find FCC Rides.
Facebook
EMAIL
FCC Website
Contact Ride Coordinator Glenn Medina to post your ride on the Calendar. |
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Club Ride Calendar Events for July
For the Latest Information on the daily, weekly, and event rides for Fresno Cycling Club, please be sure to check out the Ride Calendar!!
- Sunday Gravel Explorers – Sundays at 8:30 am. Meet at The Bike Shop Sycamore Island gravel adventures for beginning & intermediate riders looking to expand their skills. Check the Ride Calendar for details.
- August Birthday Ride – August 8th : Celebrate our June birthdays with a special ride. Join us for a fun and festive gathering on the road! Register here: https://fresnocycling.com/event-6781626
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Our Mission and Commitment
As a 501(c)(3) organization, the Fresno Cycling Club remains committed to promoting safe and legal bicycling for recreation and transportation throughout the Central Valley. Each mile we ride—whether alone, with a small group, or in a large event—helps shape a culture of responsible cycling. We are ambassadors for the sport, and our actions on the road reflect the values we share as a community. That is why we focus on riding legal and riding safe. As a 501(c) (3) we can cheerfully accept deductible donations to the support of our mission.
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FCC BOARD MEETING
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
6:30 PM
Me N Eds Victory Grill
4010 N Cedar Ave Members are welcome to attend |
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MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
Your Membership Renewal Date:
{Member_Upcoming_Renewal_Date} |
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Thank You to Our Great Volunteers
Our events thrive because of the people who give their time, energy, and heart. Whether you led a ride, staffed a rest stop, drove SAG, or helped with logistics, you made 2025 a standout year. Thank you for everything you do. To help recruit our needed volunteers for our 2026 events the following link allows you to sign up to volunteer. https://fresnocycling.com/event-6583982 |
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